Aberdeen is the local prison for the north-east of Scotland and the Northern Isles. The prison accommodates all remand prisoners and male adults serving sentences of up to 4 years.

Female prisoners are housed in separate accommodation - those serving under 6 months stay in Aberdeen whilst those serving sentences between 6 months and up to 2 years have the option to transfer to Cornton Vale.

Other prisoners outwith these classifications received from court are housed and prepared for onward movement to appropriate establishments, although some prisoners are held out of classification where this meets the operational needs of the SPS.

Aberdeen is a short-term prison that holds prisoners of all supervision levels. The present design capacity of Aberdeen is 155. On Friday 31st December 2004 a total of 209 prisoners were held in the prison.